Broadcasting unit for seed or the like



Nov. 22, 1966 E. R. HERD BROADCASTING UNIT FOR SEED OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 29, 1964 INVENTOR. BYZ/Wfe ffe Nov. 22, 1966 E. R. HERD BROADCASTING UNIT FOR SEED OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1964 I NVEN TOR. 152 Mie E. /ffe MrraeA/v/s.

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United States Patent O 3,287,021 BROADCASTING UNIT FOR SEED R THE LIKE Elmer R. Herd, Lucerne, Ind., assignor to Herd s eeder Company, Inc., Lucerne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed July 29, 1964, Ser. No. 385,938 9 Claims. (Cl. 275-15) 'Ihis invention relates to a broadcasting unit for seeds, fertilizers, granular chemicals -and similar materials particularly for agricultural use.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved broadcasting unit which may be readily and easily attached to or mounted on any desired type of conventional tractor for operation thereby.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character having an improved hopper of generally rectangular configuration terminating in a cylinder, the latter having a base with Ian opening therein, and a rotating agitator movable over the base opening for effectively cleansing the interior of the device.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved broadcaster unit of this nature including a distributing plate which is locked in a circular manner, permitting the centering of all types of material.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the dimensions of the base opening may be readily varied to control the quantity of material passed to the distributing point.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the control of the base opening is accomplished by a manually controlled spring loaded over center handle, which is readily accessible to the operator.

An additional important object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the distributing fan is provided with a plurality of blades including a top leading edge on each blade, and so arranged that the inner ends of the blade may be locked backward or forward to permit the operator to control the Width of spread and the center thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the outer edges of the blades are similarly adjustable to enable the operator to direct the material to one side of the device if desired.

A further object lof the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the distributing fan is driven through a gear vcase to insure proper rotative speed of the fan.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, install and operate.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part will be pointed out in the description of the invention as it proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of one form of broadcasting unit incorporating elements of the instant inventive concept.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the structure of FIGURE l as viewed from the right.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the device of FIGURE 1 taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

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FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing a constructional element.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIGURE l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the distributing'plate or fan.

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary detail side views partially in sections showing the connection of the broadcasting unit of the instant invention to tractors of various types.

FIGURE 11 is a similar fragmentary side elevational view showing the unit supported as a trailer, and connected to a tractor and FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the undercarriage comprising the trailer of FIGURE 11.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views ofthe drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention is generally indicated at 20 and includes a rectangular hopper body 21 having an open top 22. The rectangular body merges into an inverted frusto pyramidal bottom portion having inclined tapering sides 23, and a bottom opening 24 as best shown in FIGURE 3. Opening 24 empties into a relatively short cylinder 25 having a base plate or closure 26 at the bottom thereof. A rectangular opening 27 is provided in base plate 26, and is adapted to be opened and closed by means of a closure plate 28, the latter being adjustable in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

The rectangular support 29 surrounds hopper 21 at its juncture with the pyramidal lower portion 23 thereof, and is connected to a pair of vertical upright frame members 30. Extending from an intermediate point of vertical frame members 30 is a second rectangular support 31, from which in turn depend additional vertical support members 32. A lower transverse bar 33 connects the lower portion of vertical members 32, the latter terminating at the bottom ends in bifurcated yokes 34 apertured to receive pins 35 for the purpose of connecting the device to a tractor, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

As best shown in FIGURE 1 a clevis 36 is provided on the rear portion of rectangular frame 31, and is provided with a pin 37, by means of which the device may be attached to a three point hitch, also in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

The upper portion of cylinder 25 includes a flange 38 having a pair of laterally extending ears 39 thereon, the latter being adapted to be engaged by upper L shaped clips 40 which are bolted by means of bolts 41 to lower L shaped clips 42, which engage the under side of base plate 26, so that simply by loosening the bolts 41 the base plate may be removed to facilitate the cleaning thereof. Inasmuch as the device is frequently used with corrosive chemicals such cleaning is desirable and necessary.

Additional vertical frame members 45 depend from the rear transverse bar 33, and are reinforced by angularly disposed members 46. From each member 45 a pair of horizontally extending flanges 47 project forwardly, and have connected thereto overlapping flanges 48, as by means of bolts 49, the anges 48 being rigidly aixed to a gear box 50. Gear box 50 is connected -by means of a shaft 51 containing one or more universal joints 52 to the power takeoff of the tractor or other towing vehicle, and contains gears of the proper ratio to rotate a vertical shaft 53 extending upwardly therefrom, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter in detail, at approximately 700 r.p.m. when operated with a tractor with a 540 r.p.m. power takeoff. The gears may be reversed to maintain the correct shaft speed when operated on a tractor with a 1000 r.p.m. takeoff.

through an elongated slot 61 in -disc 55 so that the relative position of the inner ends of the blades may be varied or pivoted lbackward so that the operator may control the lwidth of the spread and center all types of spread. Similarly the bolt 60 may be adjusted to engage in a selected one of a plurality of holes 62 adjacent the outer ends of ythe bla-des so that the outer edges thereof may be pivoted Vbackward `or forward to enable the operator to throw the material ol to one side if desired.

If desired, guide ribs 63 may be formed on the surface of plate 55 to insure proper radial alignment of the vertical flanges 58 when such alignment is desired.

It will thus be seen that material falling from the hopper 20 through the opening 27 will fall on the disc 25 and -be distributed in accordance with the angular relationship of the blades 56.

The upper end of shaft 53 above disc 55 extends through a central opening 65 in plate 26 and has secured thereto, as best shown in FIGURE 5, a collar 66, by means of the set screws 67. The collar 66 has integrally aixed thereto -a bar 68 which is provided with a plurality of depending, angularly disposed cleansing blades 69, which serve to clean the upper surface of plate 26 thus precluding the retention of damaging or harmful material in the bottom of the hopper.

Referring back now to the closure plate 28 for the opening 27, the plate is linearly movable and a pair of anged channels 70 aflxed to the underside of base plate 26, and its linear movement is controlled by the position of a backing plate 71. The backing plate 71 has extended therethrough a lbolt 72 which extends through a slot 73 in an extension 74 of plate 26. Graduations 75 are provided along the edges of the slot 73, so that the bolt 72 may be linearly adjusted, and the relative position of the backing plate 71 readily visible. It will be apparent that f the position of the plate 71 limits the opening movement of the plate 28.

Means are also provided for opening and closing plate 28 with a snap action, and takes the form of an elongated -link 76 which is pivoted as by means of a pivot 77 to plate 28 and has adjacent its outer end an elongated slot 77a. The slot has passed therethrough a bolt 78 which is positioned in a selected one of a number of openings 79 and link 80, the link 80 in turn being connected to a lug 81, by means of a handle rod 82. The lug 81 is mounted for rotative movement on the rear transverse portion of frame members 33, vand is actuated by operating handle rod 82 which extends upwardly to -a hand grip 83 located adjacent the drivers position in the tractor or -other operating vehicle.

A tension spring 84 is connected to the underside of lug 81 at one end, and is secured at its other end to an eye bolt 85 which in turn is connected to the frame 30. The Aarrangement is such that las the handle member 83 rotates its associated handle rod 82 the `bolt 78 is moved in the slot 77a, so that as it passes over spring 84 the direction of the tension exerted is reversed so that link 76 is moved relatively rapidly to snap plate 28 to open or closed position.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the device should now be readily understandable. When the device is attached to a tractor or other towing vehicle, and the shaft 51 connected to the power takeolf of the tractor,

the hopper 21 is filled with seeds, fertilizer, or any other granular agricultural material, and the blade 56 having been adjusted to the desired angular relation on plate 55,

the tractor is moved over the eld. Rotation of the plate 55, permits seed or other material falling through the opening 27 onto the disc 55 to be broadcast or disseminated over a relatively Wide area, due to the relatively high speed of rotation of the disc 55 and its associated blades. As previously pointed out the angular relation of the blades to the disc governs the area of distribution, and variation of the angular inclination of the outer endsl of the blades will direct the throw of material to one side only if desired.

The lower portion of vertical frame members 45 have connected thereto a laterally extending horizontal rectangular frame 90, for a purpose to -be hereinafter de.- scribed. The device of the instant invention is adapted for attachment to a relatively wide variety of tractors.l

FIGURE 8 for example, shows the attachment of the device to the three point hitch of a conventional tractor of this type. The tractor is generally indicated at T1, and includes an axle 91 provided with a depending lug 92 to which is pivoted a lever 93 as by means of a pivot 94. The power actuated lift arms 95 of this type of tractor are pivotally connected as by pivot 96 to lugs` 97 carried by the arms 93. The ends of the arms 93 extend into the yoke 34 and are secured therein by means of the pins 35. The upwardly extending frame 98 is provided with a lug 99, a link 100 being pivotally connected to the lug 99 by means of a pivot 101, and the other end of the lug being engaged by the clevis 36 secured therein by the pin 37.

FIGURE 9 discloses a two point hitch as applied to a conventional tractor T2, the latter including an axle 102 and a pair of rearwardly extending tubular members 103 extending rearwardly from the frame. The tubular members 103 are pivoted as by pivots 104 to pivoted portions 105 of the conventional lift arms 106` of this type of tractor. In adapting the broadcasting device to the instant invention to use with this type of tractor, a bar 107 is connected in the yoke 34 by means of pins 35, and reinforcing connections 108 connected respectively as at 109 to an intermediate point of each bar 107 and at their opposite ends 110 to the inner sides of vertical frame members-30. The inner ends of bars 107 are tapered as at 111 and notched as at 112,.to receive the ends 113 of locking hooks 114 which are pivotally mounted on sleeves 103 for the purpose of securing the ends of members 107 in position in their associated sleeves.

Still another form of attaching means is shown in FIGURE l0 wherein :a still further type of tractor T3 is indicated. This type of tractor incorporates the so-called snap coupler, and includes a bell 116 in which a hook 117 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 118. The hook is adapted by an eye 119 inserted into the bell, the eye comprising an extension of an arm 120 which is pivoted as by means of a pivot 121 to a link 122 secured at yoke 34 by means of pin 35. The pivot pin 122` `is t also connected to a bar 123,-the upper end of which is pivotally connected as by means of a pivot 124 to the lift arms 125 of the tractor. A connecting link 126 is pivoted to each side frame member 30 as by a pivot 127 and the other end pivotally connected to a pin 128` l carried by bar 123.'

FIGURES ll and l2 show a wheeled trailer for carrying the apparatus, the trailer including a frame 130 upon which is adapted to be mounted the frame 90 at the 138 are adapted to extend on opposite sides of a conventional apertured draw bar 139 of tractor T4, and be connected thereto by pin 140. Diagonal supports 141, are similar to the supports 108 in FIGURE 9 are connected as at 142 to vertical frame members 30, and connected by pins 143 to the inner sides of frame member 133.

Regardless of the mounting of the device, the operation thereof is substantially identical to that previously discussed.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved broadcasting unit for seeds, fertilizer, and granular chemical material which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter is to be interpreted as merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A broadcasting unit of the character described comprising in combination, a vertical hopper having a bottom opening, a supporting frame for said hopper including a iirst pair of spaced vertical uprights, upper and lower horizontal rectangular frames engaging said hopper and a second pair of vertical uprights spaced forwardly of said first pair of uprights, a cylinder beneath said bottom opening, a base plate having an opening therein detachably secured to said cylinder a gear box below said base plate, means adapted for connecting said gear box to the power takeoi of a tractor, a vertical drive shaft extending from said gear box and rotatable thereby, a disc-like plate mounted on said drive shaft below said opening in said base plate, distributing fan blades on said plate, means, including a slidable plate, a remotely positioned operating handle and a linkage including an over center positioned tension spring connecting said plate to said handle to open and close said plate with a snap action, for selectively opening and closing said opening, and means adapted for mounting said unit on a tractor.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein a gauge plate is positioned in the path of movement of said slidable plate to limit the opening thereof, and means are provided for varying the relative position of said gauge plate.

3. 'I'he structure of claim 1 wherein a ange surrounds the top of said sleeve, and separable clamps engage over said ange and below said base plate, bolts secure said separable clamps together and said bolts and clamps comprise means detachable, securing said base plate to said sleeve.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said distributing blades comprise L-shaped members extending across said disc-like plate from offset points adjacent the center thereof to the periphery, and include horizontal anges secured to the disc-like plate and vertical distributing anges.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein means are provided for adjusting the position of the inner end of said blades in the plane of said disc-like plate.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein additional means are provided for independently adjusting the position of the outer ends of said blades in the plane of said disclike plate.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said base plate is provided with a central opening through which said drive shaft extends and a scraper block for said base plate is carried by said shaft interiorly of said sleeve.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said scraper block includes a horizontal bar, and angularly disposed scraping tongues depend from the underside thereof.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein one of said pairs of vertical uprights carry bifurcated yokes at their lower end, said yokes comprising in part the means adapted for mounting the unit on a tractor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 417,115 12/ 1889 Tecktonius 275-15 2,561,002 7/ 1951 Weeks 275-8 2,565,427 8/ 1951 Herd 275-8 2,638,351 5 1953 Stornetta et al 275-8 FOREIGN PATENTS 794,478 12/ 1956 Belgium.

683,299 11/ 1952 Great Britain.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

J. R. OAKS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BROADCASTING UNIT OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A VERTICAL HOPPER HAVING A BOTTOM OPENING, A SUPPORT FRAME FOR SAID HOPPER INCLUDING A FIRST PAIR OF SPACED VERTICAL UPRIGHTS, UPPER AND LOWER HORIZONTAL RECTANGULAR FRAMES ENGAGING SAID HOPPER AND A SECOND PAIR OF VERTICAL UPRIGHTS SPACED FORWARDLY OF SAID FIRST PAIR OF UPRIGHTS, A CYLINDER BENEATH SAID BOTTOM OPENING, A BASE PLATE HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID CYLINDER A GEAR BOX BELOW SAID BASE PLATE, MEANS ADAPTED FOR CONNECTING SAID GEAR BOX TO THE POWER TAKEOFF OF A TRACTOR, A VERTICAL DRIVE SHAFT EXTENDING FROM SAID GEAR BOX AND ROTATABLE THEREBY, A DISC-LIKE PLATE MOUNTED ON SAID DRIVE SHAFT BELOW SAID OPENING IN SAID PLATE, DISTRIBUTING FAN BLADES ON SAID PLATE MEANS, INCLUDING A SLIDABLE PLATE, A REMOTELY POSITIONED OPERATING HANDLE AND A LINKAGE INCLUDING AN OVER CENTER OPERATING TENSION SPRING CONNECTING SAID PLATE TO SAID HANDLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID PLATE WITH A SNAP ACTION, FOR SELECTIVELY OPENING AND CLOSING SAID OPENING AND MEANS ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING SAID UNIT ON A TRACTOR. 